Last year, we partnered with the LandHealth Institute—a nonprofit providing environmental education to local teens—to create one of the first youth stewardship programs in the City committed to protecting our watersheds. That first season saw great things happen for the students and for our waterways, so we’re excited to bring in a new team of enthusiastic, passionate stewards to help us do it again this year.

Those interested in applying should contact Dan Kobza from the LandHealth Institute at daniel@landhealthinstitute.org for more information. Kobza will get a hand in running the program from Dan Schupsky, PWD’s community contact for West Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters projects.

How Stewards Serve

Beginning in late spring, 15 high school students age 15-18 from the West Philadelphia area will work alongside PWD, the LandHealth Institute and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) for 11 weeks.

Students will start out learning how to protect the Darby-Cobbs watershed, which flows through many West and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods, with lessons covering topics like ecology, watershed management and stormwater runoff. After the training sessions, students will spend the summer applying the new skills in their communities.

The stewards will train with LandHealth and the Parks and Recreation staff at the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center— the perfect home base for the Watershed Stewards.

As a potent connector that's linked West Philadelphia residents to the natural world for decades, the center provides a familiar local meeting place where Stewards can host community events, a classroom, and place where students can do real work to improve an urban watershed.

Students can earn up to $850 over the course of the program. Those who complete all training sessions will earn $275. An additional $575 can be earned by participating in various events. Being a Watershed Steward will even give students a leg up when applying for jobs and programs like Philadelphia Youth Network and Power Corps PHL.

First Year Highlights

Here’s a sample of some Watershed Stewards activities from the first year:

Kayaking through the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge—an important tidal wetland filled with waterfowl, fish, and even bald eagles—gave them first-hand experience with the Darby-Cobbs watershed and where it ends up after flowing through their neighborhoods.

In addition to the skills and knowledge they pick up, the program empowers students by connecting them to environmental and civic leaders, mentors, and new friends while immersing them in a side of the city they may not have experienced before.

Contestants in the 2015 Philly Fun Fishing Fest soak in the river at Schuylkill Banks. What do you want for the future of the Schuylkill River? Tell SAN by clicking here. (Credit: Philadelphia Water)

The Schuylkill Action Network, one of our key partners in efforts improve the health of the Schuylkill River, wants to hear from the people who live near this incredible natural resource and depend on the waterway for drinking water.

SAN is collaborative network of over 100 organizations—including federal, state, and local government partners, schools and more—all working to protect and restore the Schuylkill River watershed. Right now, they’re developing a 5-year strategic plan to improve this amazing regional treasure.And they want your input to make that plan the best that it can be.